WATCH: Victoria comes alive with Irish spirit for Saint Patrick’s Day. Ceilidh Millar reports.
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations were in full force early Friday with hordes of revellers gearing up for a full day of festivities.
The Celtic chaos was underway at the Irish Times Pub by 9 a.m.
“It’s like Christmas for us,” explained Cloe Cameron, guest relations manager for the Irish Times Pub. “I could barely sleep last night.”
Named one of the top Irish pubs outside of Ireland by Dublin’s local newspaper in 2015, Cameron says they’re expecting more than 1,000 patrons throughout the day.
“This year, we were also voted number one best place in Canada to celebrate St. Patty’s Day,” said Cameron.
While green beer won’t be served at the pub, there is plenty of Guinness on tap.
“Our record last year was 15 kegs,” explained Cameron. “We’re prepared to serve it all day and night.”
People of all ages came out to celebrate their Irish roots.
“I was born in Northern Ireland and we come here every year,” said one woman holding her six month old son. “This is his first St. Patrick’s Day and we’re having a lot of fun.”
The festivities wouldn’t be complete without a traditional Irish jig.
A group of dancers from the Victoria School of Irish Dance, aged 8 to 15, performed at the Cook St. Village Activity Centre for a group of delighted seniors this afternoon.
It was one of 20 shows they’ll perform throughout St. Patrick’s Day.
The show was enjoyed by those with Irish roots, and those with none.
“I’m not Irish at all, but I’m Irish today” explained one woman.
The City of Gardens Chorus will be hosting a traditional Irish Ceilidh as a fundraiser for their choir.
They’ll be serving a traditional Irish meal at the White Eagle Polish Hall in James Bay from 6 to 11 p.m. tonight.
Ceilidh Millar
